You’re never too young to make a difference’

Paula M. Donnelly

Tuesday

May 22, 2007 at 12:01 AMMay 22, 2007 at 10:21 PM

While the weather outside was dismal, spirits were high as more than 800 students from 202 cities and towns across the state graduated from Bridgewater State College during the school’s 166th commencement ceremony Saturday afternoon.

While the weather outside was dismal, spirits were high as more than 800 students from 202 cities and towns across the state graduated from Bridgewater State College during the school’s 166th commencement ceremony Saturday afternoon.

A sea of the school’s colors red and black were contrasted starkly against the traditional white tent, which sheltered graduates, their families and friends from the heavy rains. Students’ years of hard work were celebrated with a handshake, a smile for the camera and mortarboards sent soaring.

While the graduation was an end to their college years, students were urged by school administrators speaking at commencement to go out into the world and make a positive difference.

“Be ashamed to die unless you have won some victory for humanity,” BSC President Dana Mohler-Faria, told the graduates.

Craig Kielburger, who received an honorary doctorate degree in public service, was a shining example for the graduates of a young person making a difference. The 23-year-old founder of the non-profit organization Free The Chldren and award-winning author began his charity work before he was even in high school.

“I am thrilled to be participating in such a prestigious event,” said Kielburger. “Bridgewater State College has demonstrated such a strong commitment to public service though its community initiative and it is a great honor that they have chosen to recognize my work with Free the Children,” he said

Kielburger, who has won many awards including the Nelson Mandela Human Rights Award and the Roosevelt Freedom Metal, has shared stages former President Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama.

“Young people are often told they must wait until they are old enough to make a difference, but in my experience and work, I have seen youth that have an incredible ability to create social change at a local and international level,” he said.

You are never too young to make a difference in the world. Kielburger told the BSC graduates.

He was just 12 when he founded the organization Leaders Today. The former organization trained youth in leadership abilities and lead Kielburger to set the foundation for Free the Children.

Which works to build primary schools to help educate children in underprivileged countries.

“It is a great honor to be receiving an honorary doctorate and I hope others will be inspired to take action and follow their passions,” Kielburger said in a subsequent interview.

Kielburger’s connection with BSC is through a friend and Free the Children board member Jonathan White, a Professor of Sociology and Political Economy at the college.

According to Kielburger, in 2001 the United Nation office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Zones selected Free the Children and White served as special advisor as they worked to build schools in conflict areas including Sri Lanka and Sierra Leone.

“Every generation has a challenge thrust upon it; I ask whether our generation is willing to rise up to that challenge. Will you look around locally and globally and open your heart and eyes. Share the gift you have, Kielburger urged the graduates. “Don’t ask what your degree will do for you but what you can do for others,” he said.

“For some of us this mystery of post-college life is far clearer than for others,” said student speaker Derrick Zellman. “For the rest of us the unknown path may seem quite intimidating,” he said. “I suggest in order to rid ourselves of this fear, we put aside the ideas of what we are supposed to do with this college degree and make decisions about our lives that are important to us,” he said

Along with sound advice and warm wishes, Saturday’s commencement message came with some surprises, including an announcement from Mohler-Faria regarding possibly the largest private commitment made to a single state college. Mohler-Faria informed the commencement crowd that BSC Alumnia Terry Hart Cogan, a member of the class of 1951, would be donating $2.5 to $3 million to the college in the next few years.

“I am only one of the many hundreds of investors in this college,” said Cogan, “but I hope my decision to give in this way inspires many more to do so… and that the businesses of southeastern Massachusetts and the Commonwealth take note of just how valuable this institution is to them.”

With this commitment, Cogan’s donations to the college will have reached an estimated $5 million.

“As I think back on my life and the things I have done and where I have traveled, I feel so pleased to have been able to help this wonderful institution make an investment in a new generation,” she said.

“Someone like Terry, who has given so willingly of her time, energy and enthusiasm, clearly embodies the essence of our college’s motto ‘not to be ministered unto, but to minister.’ Countless generations of Bridgewater students will benefit directly from her pledge,” Mohler-Faria said.

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